28 comments:

John: thank you so much for this. Please continue this blog - I know our private instruction would be far better (FAR better), but a blog giving free lessons that you think are valuable is . . . invaluable. -- Mykal

This is amazing. I would pay for private lessons, especially if the curriculum is more in depth like your blog. (and especially since I'm already spending a couple hundred just to apply to American animation schools. ugh.) Don't underestimate education. Hungry students are everywhere & many have potential but not the resources available. ;)

I am definitely interested, but to be completely honest, right now, I can't afford it. However, it would be something I would save for if you offered it. Maybe by the second half of next year I would be able to save up $1500 for it. I live in Sun Valley.

Heck yeah, John...sign me up! Considering how much inspiration I get from your posts, a live class or private sessions would be immeasurably great. It's in that close hand-to-hand combat of cartoon drawing that a lot of learning takes place.

PS...Thanks for putting all these lessons in one convenient place!

PPS...Last week I met an animator visiting from London. One of the first things we had in common as we started talking was how much we were getting inspired from yer blog. From opposite sides of the globe!

If you could do an online version that would be great as well. Sort of like what they're doing at schoolism.com. I'd much rather give you my business. Living in Oakland takes me out of the running for anything down south.

I would do the private lessons definately, as I am sure many would. have you checked out don bluths personal training site? check it out its a good layout and Im sure you could incorporate some of what hes done. I dont think he has half as many followers as you do online, and what you could offer is something that you can't really find anywhere. Theres alot of people/organizations that claim they can teach you how to animate, but none to my knowledge who go deep into the theory and history of the medium as you do, and focus on solid drawing skills. with all the CG "artists" floating around, its become such a forgotten skill and under appreceated talent (to know how to draw) so I think youve got one hell of a solid product to offer animation students and enthusiasts alike that nobody else can. I would be first to sign up!

An online school would be great under your tutelage.Animation Mentor sounds fine, but there is roomfor your particular expertise and spin on the business.There is free software for this called MOODLE, where people can log in when they pay, and work, post their results, converse and much more.Paying for learning and actually learning fromthe very start is an unusual and powerful experience. I dragged my ass to the University of Minnesota day after day in Hope of learning something, to go home each night thinking, yea, I have learned that this is not the place for me.

i'm sixty and i want to animate and have been trying to teach myself. i'm a hard worker but i need community. having a mentor go over my work and suggest approaches to promote learning would be welcome. i am not looking to get a job or earn a living with animation i am doing this for self expression. i work at drawing and animating daily and some days spend as much as 12 hours a day working. i think that online interaction is an excellent way to learn. kt

John I would 100% be down for that! Give us the details and I would pay to come get those lessons! I could get the money and make that happen! Please let me know if you are going to do this, I'd love to learn all things my college is not teaching me!

John, I live in the Seattle area, and I'll tellya what: I would be down there in a second to take your class if they were on consecutive days, so as to minimize time off from work. Just hold a summer workshop at a Marriot or something. I'll sleep in my car, I'll do whatever it takes.

John, I live in North Carolina and I would fly in to your area to take your classes if they were on consecutive days (1 to 2-week course). All of the other classes (like those offered at the Animation Guild) seem to be spread out over weeks, so someone from out of town couldn't possibly go. $1500 seems a little steep when combined with travel and lodging but I am still interested. In the meantime I may try some of the online lessons, and if I do I will definitely donate!

art student from Melbourne, Australia- living out of home with no internet so cant really follow the tutes as of yet, but i'd deffinately come over to have you teach me for $1500!! Such a great inspiration for me!I have just finished a 3D homage brief of chosen artist, which I used you, pretty happy with my asteroid eames lounge chairs!

You have the talent, the credibility, and bills. Your plan sounds like something you should do. I am a Sheridan Classical Animation program drop-outcirca 1994. (I left that Sheridan mindset after 1 year due to the lack of focus on the Classical Animation I signed up for, to be plowed out of the way at the time for the Computer animation program and big Disney funding. Anyone know if Sheridan has changed?)The big query I have, aside from the absolute joy of learning more about the natural drawing style of animation techniques, is there a current market for hand drawn stuff?? It looks like a lot of vector type stuff and of course Computer animation which I now pretty much loath even more so unless it's to show a pretty D.N.A. sequence in technicolour. Peas and rice! DO IT! :D

Maybe a site or online document could be set up to gather together something like 5 people who are able to pay $300 each. All parties could meet in a common space for the day. It may be more hassle than anyone wants to take on. I suspect geography and organizing is a major issue.

Hey John, my boyfriend Marty and I are in love with everything that comes out of your brain! Marty is working at being an illustrator and is following all the exercises you post. Unfortunately last week his backpack was stolen and his sketchbooks and equipment are GONE! For christmas I am going to get him a nice new one and I was wondering if I might be able to mail it to you for a signature and a little doodle or something? I think it would really make his day and a good start to more drawings. Poor guy is pretty bummed, feel free to reply to shayli_harrison@hotmail.com if it is any easier.